Another English Culture Week event - finals of the English debate competition. Accounting and Finance went up against our very own debate team from the English Department. The topic was - Individualism verses Collectivism. What an interesting topic for Chinese students to debate.
The moderator was tough but fair and made sure both sides kept within the time limits.
The affirmative side was from my own Department of Foreign Languages. From left to right: Kathryn, Nathan, Killua, Fay, Craig and Amelia.
The Negative side was from the Department of Transportation
The Affirmative side, collectivism over individualism, presents their initial argument.
The Negative side, individualism over collectivism, presents their initial argument.
The judges came from the ranks of the teachers. Kathleen gave the final judges wrap-up.
Participants in this years debate contest.
More presentations by our own Ms. Susan.
The Best Debater came from this year's runner up team.
The Runner up team.
The victors in this year's contest. Actually, it was not really that close as our team was loaded with the best English speakers in the entire university.
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The head dude, the Master of Ceremony, the big monitor turned out to be none other than Mr. Yao. What a great job he did in making sure everything went smoothly.
The Foreign Language Department had made it to the finals and was represented by Giselle, Craig, Killua and Amelia. A nightmare for anyone who dares to compete against them.
Craig, in his usual overwhelming command of the English language, makes a "head breaking" statement in defense of the groups position.
Killua does her own "vulcan mind meld" as she destroys the opposition's stated position. Killua used to talk 180 MPH in English when I first met her two years ago. She has slowed down a bit and hovers (forcing herself) at around 120 MPH. I figure by the time she graduates she will be able to have people keep up with her at a more normal 60 MPH. Slackers will never be able to run with her, though!
From the audience, Daniel (a brilliant linguist in his own right) asks a question to the two opposing sides.
And the winners are, of course, our own Foreign Language Department. The number two guy on the opposing team (first on the left) did 90% of the talking for the team so we gave him the best debater award. Actually, the competition was not really close as the Foreign Language Department had stacked the team with some real "English monsters." Great evening of competition.
